RCB vs PBKS, IPL 2025 Final: Why is Virat Kohli Running Through the Middle of the Pitch? Sunil Gavaskar raises Question, Says Umpires won't...

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Former India player and commentator Sunil Gavaskar has raised a valid question amid the IPL 2025 final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings.

As the match continues at the Narendra Modi stadium, Gavaskar spotted a major anomaly in the running of Virat Kohli and pointed out while being on-air.

Virat Kohli batted in the final as he has made a steady start. The India star hit only 3 boundaries in his 45 runs and the rest of them have arrived in singles and couples. But during the 12th over, Kohli completed a quick couple and Gavaskar showcased that Kohli was running through the middle of the pitch.

Running through the middle is an offence and players are only allowed to use the sides, but visuals showed that the RCB star was accelerating and sprinting through the middle of the pitch.

Sunil Gavaskar raises Question

"Kohli is running straight down the pitch and no umpire will ever tell him [not to run]," Gavaskar said while commentating during the IPL 2025 final.

The India legend also pointed out that Punjab Kings will be batting second, indicating Kohli's running can give RCB unfair advantage as cracks can open up around those areas in the pitch. But Gavaskar's voice echoed disappointment as he pointed out that no umpires may go on and question Virat Kohli about his running.

PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer chose to bowl first after winning the toss and RCB have so far done decently. Kohli has been holding their innings while Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar and Mayank Agarwal departed after getting starts. At the end of 15 overs, RCB have posted 132 for 4, with Livingstone and Jitesh Sharma at the crease.

The India star has also gone up to 3rd position in the Orange Cap race as he ended the IPL 2025 season with 657 runs.